Hidden Summit (Virgin River #17)(33)

“Like Greg falling in love for the first time after eight years of marriage?” she asked.

“I was thinking of my own shortcomings, to tell the truth. Giving your word on something usually requires a sacrifice, and it’s the measure of a man by how much he can live up to his word. I gave my word, Les, but I wasn’t able to keep it when it came to my ex-wife. A stronger man would’ve tried to understand and give her a chance to at least make amends, but I couldn’t. Wouldn’t. And Greg stepping out on you like he did? Not only do I think he was wrong, I think he was a fool. But damn, did I end up getting the good end of that deal or what? Because now that I know you, I know you wouldn’t have looked at me twice if you were married.”

After a moment of thought, she said, “I think the best happened for me, too. You, naturally. But a lot of other useful lessons, as well.”

There was a lot going on around Virgin River as April neared May and the Virgin River School neared completion. The town had big plans for a grand opening. People around town were furiously scouting secondhand stores, closing schools with content to sell, eBay and other resources for items to stock the school with. Dan and Cheryl’s house was finished, thanks to the help of many friends, including Conner, and they were planning a party, immediately after which they were headed north for that fishing trip Dan had mentioned.

“I spent a lot of time in charity work,” Leslie told him while they were lazing around in her bed late on a Saturday morning. “It’s good but not quite as fulfilling as actually helping out a friend, you know? It’s fun helping Dan and Cheryl plan their party or helping Becca look for furnishings and supplies for the actual school in which she’ll teach.”

Her doorbell rang, followed by a rapid knocking.

“I’ll get it,” she told him. “I think the kid down the street has been selling candy for school. Stay where you are. I’ll be right back.” She got out of bed and grabbed her terry robe.

“We should probably get up,” he said.

“Just give me a minute.” She tied her robe and blew him a kiss.

The doorbell rang again; the knocking followed.

“Hold your horses,” she said, throwing open the door.

And there stood the sixty-eight-year-old fun couple she knew so well. Her father had that oddly colored, thinning hair and her mother’s short blond was all teased up and spiky, Ms. Modern. They were dressed…in evening clothes? Cocktail party attire.

“Coffee on?” her father asked, beaming.

“Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?”

Eight

“We missed you,” Candace Petruso said. “And we have a surprise.”

“Why are you dressed like that?” Leslie asked.

“Part of the surprise. Leslie, I thought for sure you’d be up. It’s…” She looked at her watch. “My gosh, it’s ten!”

“It’s Saturday morning!” Leslie protested, a little flustered.

“You’re usually an early riser,” Robert said, pushing his way into the house. “Where’s the kitchen? I’ll put on the coffee. Candace, you get the music ready and we’ll push a little furniture back, make space.” And he was off in the direction of the kitchen.

“Music? What is going on?” Leslie demanded. “Did you get up at five to make this drive from Grants Pass?”

Candace came in and looked around. “Oh, Les, this is just as adorable as the pictures you sent. I think it’s really you. You know your father—he can’t sleep past four-thirty even though he has nothing in the world to get up for. And he can’t seem to be quiet, either. We had something we wanted to show you so we decided on the spur of the moment. It’s a nice drive.”

“Must have been kind of uncomfortable in your fancy clothes,” she observed.

“Don’t be silly, we stopped at a service station and changed,” Candace said. She put her iPod with speakers on Leslie’s coffee table.

Robert was back, brushing his hands together. “There! Coffee’s on. Let’s make a little room here.” He pushed the chair back against the wall, the coffee table against the sofa, the dining table back, chairs pushed in. “You’re going to get the biggest kick out of this, Leslie,” he said.

“I’d better.” Leslie crossed her arms over her chest.

“It’s spectacular,” Robert promised. “Now stay right there. Candace, press Play.”

Just as Candace pushed the button, before the music even started, Conner stepped into the room looking like pure sex. His short hair was mussed, and he had a scruffy growth of beard surrounding that tight, trim little goatee. He’d pulled on his faded jeans that hung low on his delicious hips, his feet bare. He wore his white T-shirt and had carelessly stuffed a handful of it into the low waist of the jeans right at the center, over the zipper. The hair on his chest was visible in the V-neck, and she wanted to run her fingers through it. His eyes were sleepy and his smile small and one-sided. He came to stand next to Leslie.

“Oh!” Candace said, startled. A tango began to play, and Candace looked at her husband. “Robert, we should have called! We’re intruding.”

“No problem,” Conner said.

Candace smiled. “You must be Conner,” she said.

“Luckily,” he said, causing Leslie to laugh.